Has anyone had an induction and it not been a “horror” or horrible painful or prolonged?
My consultant said I will need to be induced in week 39, as I’m over 40 so increased risk of still birth if it’s past the due date. Currently 22 weeks, and it’s on my mind.
What can I do to help prepare for induction?
How long can I expect to be in hospital with it?
I'm in a FB group for gestational diabetes where it's fairly common to be induced, and so many people have a positive experience. I understand how you feel, but people are also more likely to share negative experiences than positive, and every labour is different. There is also so much pain relief available now, and you can always have an epidural which is just amazing. Also, there's every chance labour might start naturally for you before 39 weeks. I'm booked in for an induction in 3 weeks time but hoping baby will come by themselves! At the end of the day, I know it's going to hurt either way and I'm prepping for that, just want baby here safe and well now!
Everyone is so different. Mine was painful and long but it was honestly wasn’t that bad. For me it was quite painful early on and when checked I hadn’t dilated much, so I was given pain relief that helped for a few hours while I progressed. When that pain relief wore off I managed with just gas and air as I guess my body had started to manage the pain and I was coping better. Take snacks, sugary drinks to keep strength up and look into hypnobirthing. You will be fine xx
I’ll also add that you are entitled to say no to an induction. You can be offered extra monitoring instead. While the risks do go up a bit, hospitals mostly tend to push you into what’s easiest for them so. Not saying you should refuse it, but do research and ask questions, especially if your pregnancy goes by with no complications xx
I had two inductions and they were both fine. The second one I was more assertive and confident in what I wanted.
I listened to an audio book about hypnobirthing and found it really helped give me confidence to ask for my preferences. It also helped me prepare for any direction my labour would take.
I requested a water balloon to open my cervix instead of the pessary as the pessary made me uncomfortable at my first induction. Eventually they were just able to break my waters, because I was a couple cm dilated already. So I didn't need the pessary or balloon, so it's worth getting them to check before they do either. I used gas and air while they broke my waters and concentrated on keeping my breathing gentle and regular. It was uncomfortable but not too painful.
After my waters were broken I asked for a break before they put in the drip, you can't eat after they put it in in case you have an epidural, so I asked for a break and for something to eat. They had a 24hr menu so I had a lasagne. Don't let them rush you into have the drip if you want a break.
My first induction the contractions came very fast and I immediately asked for an epidural, it worked brilliantly and I was able to rest until I was dilated enough to push, even had a little snooze.
My second labour, the contractions were much slower and much more gentle, so I just used gas and air and listened to audio books, labour went well and then right towards the end I had some Pethidine, and I would have asked for the epidural if it had gone on any longer, but baby came not long after the injection and that feeling of my baby's head coming out was incredible. I'd go through all the pain again just to have that powerful moment when you realise what you've just done. It's the most incredible high.
My midwife was fantastic too, really explaining how and when too push, I think the combination of everything in my second labour really made it a great experience.
Hypnobirthing, food, audio book, gas and air, midwife, pethidine and make sure to do a wee.
Good luck with it xx
I was the same time and reason for induction, I had a sweep a few days before the day I was meant to go in which did help partially break my waters naturally the morning I was meant to be induced that afternoon so I didn’t need the balloon catheter (balloon catheter is where the insert it it to stretch your cervix and you can go home for up to 24 hours) then they are hopefully able to break your waters and saves you a day in hospital. Anyway they kept me in instead of sending me home with balloon to monitor baby and Labour did progress to 6cm over the next 24 hours but because waters had been broken for over 24 hours they gave me the induction drip to speed things up. I had no pain relief at this point at all and was getting a bit tired so asked for epidural before the drip (I had planned to not have the epidural lol) and I didn’t really feel much and baby’s came about 7 hours later natural vaginal birth and I healed from a few stitches quite quickly afterwards. So it can be a calm and nice experience being induced and being on the induction ward for a day surrounded by other ladies being induced I would say the most annoying part for us all was the waiting lol so bring something to occupy yourself in that first stage (I watched a comedy on Netflix). I would defo recommend a sweep before, balloon catheter if available rather than pessary (just so you have home comforts for a while longer), and the almighty epidural for the drip part 🙌🏼 Wishing you lots of luck xx
Hi. I had an induction at 39 weeks as my baby was measuring small. I had a first dose of the gel they use at 2.45pm and they checked me after six hours and it hadn’t had any effect. They didn’t give me anymore at that point as they’d detected tremors which could’ve stressed the baby (and also the delivery suite was busy so they didn’t really want me to have the baby that night)! They then gave me a second dose at 6am, my waters broke at 8.30am, I started having contractions at 9.15am, went to delivery suite at 11am, started pushing at 11.30am and baby was in my arms at 12.05pm and I had no pain relief other than using a tens machine and some hypnobirthing techniques. If you’re feel anxious I definitely recommend doing a hypnobirthing course as soon as you can so you can practice the techniques to keep you calm and help you breathe through your birth.
Remember though that every experience is different, but hopefully my story shows that you can have a positive birth after being induced 🙂 Take books and download some stuff to watch too to keep you busy. I also had a bath and painted my nails so had a lovely time actually 😂
You don’t have to be induced if you don’t want to. They will try to convince you. I was heavily pushed upon by doctors and it really irritated me and got in the way of what I wanted. I was over 40 and officially (but in my opinion not) GDM and they said I’d need to be induced by 40 weeks. I waited until 40+6 and then sadly had the horrible time I was expecting with induction so I’m sorry I can’t say it was easy breezy - I had a really bad time of it and was in for a week but my experience ended in emergency c section. My baby just wasn’t wanting to be born yet. As much as they’re playing the reducing risk game with induction it’s not a pleasant experience for anyone I know. You can certainly push it to 40 weeks rather than at 39 if your health is all fine otherwise.
I was terrified of being induced as I’d heard so many horror stories. I had to be induced with my 2nd as she was 15 days over. I was lucky as I was 4cm dilated so all they needed to do was break my waters. I definitely found the labour more intense, the contractions came on strong and fast, there was no build up to it, but it only lasted 2 hours (my first was 12 hours but I wasn’t induced).
The time you have left I would suggest that you try to do some walking to try and open your cervix naturally, if you manage to dilate then you’ll be a similar situation as me. Or get a birthday ball. They’re supposed to be great. I think it’s when you’re given the drip etc.. to open your cervix that can be quite intense. So if you can get your cervix to dilate you’re half way there.
My friend was put on the drip and she said hers wasn’t that bad and the birth went smoothly with no interventions.
Sorry no real advice from me but just keep telling yourself it’ll all be over soon and you will heal. That’s all I kept doing in my head, just reassuring myself.
Good luck.
Hi there,
Based on the angle of your question I won't share my negative experience with induction but what I want to echo, what a few others might have touched on - don't lose sight this is your body, your baby and despite how well meant and measured recommendations might seem from medical professionals, ultimately you do your own research and choose the route that's right for you. With hindsight I'd choose a planned cesarean, pain not bad AT ALL although I've had 3 other surgeries previously so pain tolerance may be different and the physical recovery afterwards compared to someone who ends up with a tear or intervention, there's no comparison. New cesarean advocate here but I understand not for everyone and a lot of women want a natural delivery where possible.
Loads of luck. I bet you can't wait to have your little one in your arms. It's the best 💛 xx
Hi I don't mean to scare you but I was induced as I was past my due date. The baby was stressed due to induction so I ended up having an emergency c section. I'm just saying this so you are aware that that can happen as a result of being induced and you are aware. I'm sure it will be fine so best of luck! X
Hi, I've had both an induced and natural birth. For me it was more painful to give birth with the induction hormone, but having said that I didn't have any pain relief with either birth (other than gas and air). I would try not to worry and do what you think is best. I thought I may have to be induced for my second as I am 41, but she came at 39.5 weeks and is now healthy and 10 weeks old. Good luck with the birth, it'll be all over soon 
Congrats on your newborn. I’ve heard this mix before so just checked, gas and air is entonox, and is pain relief, some say they haven’t had any pain relief but have had ‘gas and air’ and don’t realise it’s airborne pain relief. But good it wasn’t too much worse with induction that needed loads more. I’m enjoying pregnancy so far so in no rush to get there! For now at least!
I had gestational diabetes so had to get Induced at 38 weeks because baby's growth had stopped. Labour was ok but induction took long for me and I constantly vomited after having codeine as pain relief. I realised later pethidine was better option, I ended up taking that during labour only. I would definitely have taken pethidine during the induction process, it can be quiet painful as it's not natural. I ended up staying on that ward for 2 days before they said I was dilated enough. Otherwise the midwives are really helpful and always checking on you, letting you know what stage you're at etc. I was really nervous as it was my first baby and then I had diabetes too. But honestly you forget all of that once you're baby is in your arms. Make sure you eat before you have the pessary put in. And drink plenty of fluids during the whole process. And don't be thinking you're being a pain in the butt if you feels somethings not right call the midwives and they will check for you.
I hope it goes well for you, don't worry yourself too much
😀
You don’t have to be induced. It is completely your choice. Use the BRAIN acronym to help discuss with your midwife/consultant your options. Also worth saying if you feel informed and feel like induction is the right path for you understanding the process will really help you feel in control. Good luck
BRAIN acronym:
Benefits
Risks
Alternatives
Intuition
Nothing
Induction not working so far
Induction 
Induction at 40 weeks
Induction looming - scared
